Nation reacts to Tibbetts murder

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Mollie Tibbetts was last seen going for a jog on July 18 in a rural area in Brooklyn, Iowa. On July 19, the 20-year-old University of Iowa student was reported missing by her parents.

A month later, an autopsy confirmed that a body found on the field of the Poweshiek County as Mollie Tibbetts. On Aug. 23, 24-year-old Cristhian Bahena Riveria was charged with first degree murder.

The Hispanic immigrant, worked at Yarrabee farms in Brooklyn, Iowa. Investigation revealed that Rivera pursued Mollie Tibbetts and she turned him down.

President Donald Trump Jr. took to Twitter to share his thoughts and condolences for the Tibbetts’ family.

“Mollie Tibbetts, an incredible young woman is now permanently separated from her family,” Trump said in a tweeted video. “A person came in, from Mexico, illegally, and killed her.”

Trump went on to express his disappointment in current immigration policies, then blamed the hesitation of Democrats and the lack of border walls.

In response, Rob Tibbetts, Mollie Tibbetts’ father, wrote an opinion piece for the Des Moines Register.

“At her eulogy, I said Mollie was nobody’s victim,” Robb Tibbetts wrote. “Nor is she a pawn in others’ debate. She may not be able to speak for herself, but I can and will. Please leave us out of your debate. Allow us to grieve in privacy and with dignity. At long last, show some decency. On behalf of my family and Mollie’s memory, I’m imploring you to stop.”

SMSU social studies professor Tom Williford explained that it is inaccurate to blame immigration policies as the cause of Mollie Tibbetts’ death.

“Obviously, if that individual who murdered her had not been in the country, she would be alive today,” Williford said. “Would she be murdered by someone else? We don’t know.”

“The case has strayed from the issue of the horrendous acts committed by men against women all over the world,” Marissa Thompson, a Hispanic student at SMSU, said. “Using Mollie Tibbetts’ death to back your immigration ideologies instead of focusing on the issue of assault is not fair to the victims and it prevents the country from moving forward.”